SAN ANTONIO (AP) — When the New York Knicks needed a lift, they turned to the player who has given them everything he has all season.Josh Hart overcame early foul trouble to lead a defensive effort that stymied the San Antonio Spurs in the second half as New York rallied for a 105-95 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. “That’s just who he is,” said Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks with 30 points. “He’s always been that way. I can’t explain it. He just has a knack for doing things like that, and in crucial times, as well. It’s a credit to who he is as a player.”Scoring three points on 1-for-5 shooting doesn’t sound like an impactful line, but Hart’s value to the Knicks goes well beyond his offense.Hart finished with 15 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a blocked shot in 27 minutes. The Knicks outscored the Spurs by 22 points when Hart was on the court, the highest plus-minus by eight of any player in the series opener.
Hart is first player with 15-plus rebounds, six-plus assists and four-plus steals in an NBA Finals game since Hall of Famer Larry Bird in Game 3 of 1986 NBA Finals for Boston against the Houston Rockets.
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